Australian Quaker Tapestry

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Quaker Service Australia

Quaker Service Australia

Quaker Service Australia aims to express in a practical way the concern of Quakers for the building of a more peaceful, equitable, just and compassionate world. To this end, QSA works with communities in need to improve their quality of life with projects that are culturally sensitive, as well as being economically and environmentally appropriate and sustainable. To find out more about Quaker Service Australia, visit their website.

Please contact QSA if you would like to be added to the mailing list for the QSA Notes and the QSA Newsletter.

QSA is a signatory to the Australian Council for International development (ACFID, www.acfid.asn.au) Code of Conduct. Adherence to the Code is monitired by an independent Code of Conduct Committee elected from the NGO community. Voluntary adherence to the Code of Conduct demonstrates QSA's commitment to ethical practice and public accountability.

End of Financial Year Appeal

It’s almost the end of the financial year, so if you intend to make a tax deductible donation to Quaker Service Australia, there is still time. We need your support in order to continue our commitments to project partners around the world. There are lots of ways to give. Simply download our donation form, or visit our website for more information about the projects we support. Many thanks for your support.

QSA Project Goals

QSA supports projects which:

Seek to relieve suffering and poverty

Improve access to basic services

Increase the knowledge, skills and expertise of those involved

Make use of local materials and appropriate technology

Promote sound environmental and ecological practices

Create a reciprocal relationship between QSA and those whom the project is designed to assist.

Development in Australia

QSA has been in existence since 1959. In 1940 Alva Herbert of Adelaide wrote: 'I feel we must have an Australian Friends Service Council. We Australians must develop good relationships with all our Pacific neighbours'. Alva Herbert saw the need for an 'indigenous' Quaker Aid Agency with a geographic focus on countries in our own region. His vision has become a reality.

In 1959 the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Australia formed a Service Council, which has now grown into Quaker Service Australia. Although at first mainly a fundraising body, supporting aboriginal initiatives and development education within Australia and projects of Quaker Peace & Service (UK) and the American Friends Service Committee, it is now an independent Australian aid and development organisation.

Supporting Quaker Service Australia

The development of QSA has depended on support from individuals and committees, Local and Regional Meetings. Many Friends have provided time, skills, information, contacts and networking. The Australian government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides considerable support for the work of QSA in a number of countries.

QSA NSW Stall

The Quaker Service stall sells secondhand goods in front of Friends' House, 119 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Bring and buy.

The Quaker Shop

The Quaker Shop in Adelaide raises thousands of dollars for Quaker Service Australia each year and offers a personal, friendly service to their customers. Having operated in the same street for so many years, the shop has built up a loyal clientele.

The Quaker shop began in 1967 with a charity box to collect clothes to sell for Quaker Service Council (now called Quaker Service Australia). Soon, they rented a shop at Kensington Road, Norwood for $8 a week. The shop was planned as a happy place for staff and customers, so that if customers wanted to talk about their troubles, there would be a Friendly ear to listen. Goods were offered at a realistic price that was still a bargain.

Around 1970 they moved to 51 Kensington Road, and bought up neighbouring properties. Having operated in the same street for so many years, the shop has built up a loyal clientele.

Donations

To contribute to the work of QSA, you can either post a cheque. instruct your bank/credit union/building society to make monthly payments, or authorise QSA to deduct an amount from your credit card. For more information, visit their website www.qsa.org.au

1. Make cheques out to Quaker Service Australia, and specify the amounts you wish to donate to the following funds, for example —

I would like to contribute to QSA General Fund $...................
I would like to contribute to QSA Overseas Aid Fund $................
I would like to contribute to QSA Aboriginal Concerns Fund $..................

2. Advise QSA that you have instructed your bank/credit union/building society to make monthly payments of $..............

3. Inform QSA that you authorise them to deduct $............... from your Bankcard/Visa/Mastercard every month/ 3 months/ 6 months/ Once only. Provide details of you card number and expiry date, and add your full signature to indicate your authorisation.

A tax-deductible receipt will be issued for gifts to the Overseas Aid Fund and the Aboriginal Concerns Fund.